DOD purchases fingerprint scanners

The Defense Department has ordered 450 new fingerprint readers that will help the Defense Manpower Data Center, DOD's human resources arm, double-check the identities of newly hired employees.

The department expects delivery of the units, called DFR 2080 single fingerprint readers, by Tuesday. Developed by Identix Inc. of Minnetonka, Minn., and released about two months ago, the scanners house new fingerprint imaging technology with a 500 dot-per-inch resolution.

The hardware will be coupled with a Universal Serial Bus interface and, in this contract, a template license for Identix's BioEngine fingerprint recognition software that DOD could roll out for up to 500,000 users.

Identix, which has been supplying the DOD with biometrics hardware for at least two years, wouldn't disclose the contract value. A company spokeswoman would only describe the price for DFR 2080 units as falling 'well under $1,000' apiece.